The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-07-27

And then he asked me for money.
No trifiing sum, either. He implored
. me, almost wildly, to give him six hun
dred pounds. then and there, for Gods
sake"
He almost took my breath away.
. had no such sum of money in the house,
OF course, nor could get i; on such short
notice. Ny fortune consisted Of real es-
iiie, from which / derived moderate
income, aud few thousands in ready
money, which, what with Toms extray-
agance, and my own preparations for my
marriage, were nearly gone.
Quite aghast at his agitation, as well as
at his request, I explained to him the
utter impossibility of compliance. He
said not a word, but dropped into a
seat, and sat looking at me as if stupe-
fed.
Every yestige Of color had gone from
his fair, handsome face, and the delicate,
ciear-cut features looked haggard and
carewon. i pang shot through my heart
lis saw his distress. | ceased to care or
wonder what the money was wanted for.
knelt beside him:
~I'll get it for YOU tomorrow" said,
=" if have to mortgage my property don't
despair only wait until tomorrow, my
dear
As my hand touched his he started
and looked down at me- He was never
very strong or braye-never fit TO battle
with trouble. 1t seemed to have crushed
him now tears fell from his eyes upon
my face.
Never mind r he moaned 8 Poor
Lyddy Poor girl!' he patted my hand
fondly. Il know you'd give it to me if
you could. All, I've been bad brother
to you, dear. Say you forgive mo to-
night"
And Of course said so-said 50 weep
ing. His manner distressed me so but
l did not know what there was to for
give.
! was wiser before that birthday was
half over, though the knowledge seemed
the greatest calamity of my life
Something has gone wrong at the
bank" Harry told me. He broke the
bitter news 10 me as gently as he could,
and with grave, pale face. Six hum
dred pounds, which had been entrusted
TO Tom to deliver somewhere several
weeks ago, had not been accounted for
and-there were errors, too, in his ac-
counts"
heard no more. Insensibility snatch
ed me for awhilefrom the agony ofTom's
ruin and my own disgrace.
For must not his sister share his dis
honor? l felt that bitterly AT first-I
who had been so proud of him. But by
and-by Indignation, shame, anger, all
gave place 10 love and loves anxiety
Tom was missing.
What mattered it to me that he had
sinned? He Was still my brother, and
loved him.
had not waited for that however, be-
fore taking steps to shield him from the
consequences Of his crime.
Mr.. Hatton was mercif1l. He had no
wish to bring public disgrace upon the
family of his old friend-upon the girl !
whom his own son was engaged to
marry.
| was permitted to make up the deficit /
in the banks accounts In order to do /
so, and for another reason, instructed /
my lawyers 10 dispose of my property /
And that other reason was a letter from I
Tom, received Just one week from his de- I
parture
A pitiful letter-the outcry of a peni- /
tent and almost broken heart. He had I
not appropriated the six hundred pounds. /
thank God but he had been out and /
drinking, with the money in his posses
sion, and had been robbed of it.
On, how grateful was Every other
misfortune in the world might be borne
with patience now, since Tom was not
dishonest.
He confessed to me thousand indis-
eretions, follies, sins told me of many
and serious debts that he had left be-
hind him. Most startling of all, he told
me he was married, and implored me
to seek out and protect his wife and
child
Toms wife and child, Who was she?
After the first surprise was over. found
myself longing to see my new sister and
the little one.
| went to the address Tom had sent
me-went with carriage to bring my
new relations home. Disappointment
met me- Mrs Searle and her child had
gone.
They were behind with their rent"
said the landlady, and the husband went
away, 50 l couldn't keep her She left
to-day.
| returned home discouraged. | did
not want to see or speak TO any one just
then, so it was peculiarly annoying to
find that young woman, whom | ha
employed TO do sewing mere than year
ago, had called, and was waiting to see
me.
went down TO her. She arose omeet
me .,s entered the parlor. Little Eva
Robinson. remembered the girl we'll
a pretty, gentle, timid creature.
| started when | saw that she had an
infant in her arms.
why, what is this?" cried.
my baby" she said, timidly. I've
married since saw you last, miss"
sat down, and bade her do the same,
and then asked her what could 90 to
serve her
For all answer she burst into passion
of tears, and rising suddenly. came and
laid the infant in my lap.
Have mercy on me,'' she cried, fall
ing on her knees. This is your broth
ers child and mine, and II am his
wife -
was a proud girl, and this blow was a
heavy one My brother, 50 handsome,
such a favorite, 80 unfit for wife and child
he might have married 80 advanta-
geousIy, thought, and here | was called
upon To welcome as sister my own sew
ing girl.
But | did. may have shrunk from
,,..r sar an ,rrfan+ parban. in th.. first /